Automotive 3D Printing
Improve manufacturing agility at every stage of the vehicle lifecycle with a flexible digital parts manufacturing platform. 3D printing is incredibly scalable in the automotive industry, and both single parts suppliers and industry-leading OEMs can benefit directly from using Elimold 3D printers. Elimold’s manufacturing platform offers a wide range of high-quality, durable materials.
Streamlining automotive manufacturing workflows with industrial 3D printing
In the high-demand, high-competition automotive industry, keeping up with the pace of innovation can mean the difference between success and failure. With industrial 3D printing, you can completely streamline production with fast-paced, in-house, on-demand manufacturing. Create bottleneck-free factory tooling, such as jigs and fixtures, by eliminating third-party supply chains. Streamline prototyping with an affordable, hands-off process that unleashes efficient product iteration and designer creativity.
The extraordinary flexibility of 3D printing technology allows automakers to create automotive parts and interiors in a variety of complex shapes. These components include body parts, lightweight frames, suspension components, instrument panels, center consoles, seat mounts and more. These highly customized parts are difficult to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods, but 3D printing can easily meet these challenges.
Support automotive manufacturing from the drawing table to the assembly line with Elimold’s proven industrial solutions. Modernize your production today.
The possibilities of 3D printing in the automotive industry
The possibilities of 3D printing have long been used in all stages of production in the automotive industry – from prototyping and spare parts production to the final component itself. The materials available make it possible to print not only lightweight but also extremely durable elements.
The introduction of 3D printing allows you to optimize the production time and cost of selected elements and identify problems in your project at an early stage of prototyping – where they can be quickly fixed. 3D printing also reduces the loss of material and ultimately reduces the weight of the vehicle or its components. Thanks to small batch production, you can manufacture equipment for special vehicles such as ambulances or police cars, as well as final parts such as racing cars.
Collaborating with You to Enhance Automotive Design and Development
Solutions that Solve Automotive Challenges
Whether you require high-precision parts at scale or tough thermoplastics that replicate automotive-grade production plastic, our additive manufacturing technology is built to help you design, test, and iterate components quickly and efficiently. Reduce the time it takes to produce high-performance automotive parts from days or weeks to hours.
Accelerate Automotive Innovation
New powertrain technologies are creating exciting opportunities while producing daunting engineering challenges. With a large variety of advanced materials and additive technologies, the ability to increase testing and iteration, and greater production flexibility, our additive technology makes it easier to develop cutting-edge 3D auto components that deliver performance mobility innovations.
Leverage our Automotive and Additive Expertise
Our team provides more than just products—we also provide a holistic portfolio of solutions with the experience and expertise to help you solve automotive problems and deliver value efficiently and effectively. We can help you use our additive technology to improve the driving experience and enhance productivity in many ways, such as by reducing component parts, lowering manufacturing variability, decreasing weight, and managing packaging constraints. We are committed to giving you a competitive advantage.
How is 3D printing used in the automotive field?
Custom Parts: Manufacturers can tailor parts to a specific vehicle, making them custom and lightweight. This can also provide the driver with more personal benefits, such as a racing seat, key fob or gear lever.
Concept Design: 3D printed scale models can be used to showcase new vehicle concepts and designs on a complex and complex level. This helps diagnose any future design issues when the model is scaled.
Prototyping and testing: Additive manufacturing enables rapid prototyping, which means validating prototypes can be faster and more accurate.
Spare parts: Any part can be quickly replicated and replaced in various materials with the help of 3D printing.
Molds: 3D printing can also be used to develop molds and thermoforming tooling, as well as facilitate the rapid fabrication of jigs, fixtures and fixtures.
Different Technologies Complete 3D Printing
In the automotive field, commonly used 3D printing technologies include:
- FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling): Suitable for the manufacture of high strength parts such as body members and suspension components.
- PolyJet (multi-jet inkjet): Provides high-precision and multi-material printing capabilities, suitable for manufacturing complex automotive interior and detail parts.
- SLS (Selective Laser Sintering): High-performance engineering plastic parts such as seat brackets and wheel housings can be manufactured.
Taking automotive research and development to the next level
The automotive industry is benefiting greatly from the integration of 3D printing technology and the increased rate of research and development (R&D). Automotive 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, enables rapid prototyping, allowing automakers to design, test and improve parts faster than traditional manufacturing methods.
Innovation thrives when designers and engineers can focus on improving designs rather than waiting for prototypes to be produced. With 3D printing in the automotive industry, high-fidelity prototypes can be produced in just a few hours, significantly reducing the waiting time to obtain a tangible version of the design. This rapid turnaround not only streamlines the development process, but also promotes a more dynamic and efficient approach to vehicle design, allowing for real-time iteration and improvement.
3D printed molds for automotive parts
Using metal 3D printing to create molds for automotive parts can save time and money. Here, using the right additive manufacturing process, as well as the right metal powder, is crucial.
Tools consist of instruments or components typically used to create geometric shapes in various production processes. These production processes include injection molding, casting, cutting, stamping, extrusion and assembly. Typical categories of machine tool tools include fixtures, jigs, gauges, dies, dies, cutting equipment, and patterns. Typically, mold parts are produced in relatively small quantities, which results in higher costs.
Using tools of the right material and quality is crucial for manufacturers. Additive manufacturing offers the possibility of introducing internal cooling channels into forming tools or optimizing the coolant supply of cutting tools. This offers vast opportunities to reduce manufacturing costs and increase productivity.
The process of making the tools is time-consuming and expensive. Complex geometries, high precision and surface finish requirements, coupled with hard and wear-resistant materials, place high demands on highly qualified labor and equipment. In-house metal 3D printing enables faster and cheaper production of molds. Metal 3D printing your tools means you can move faster, increase productivity and improve the functionality of your tools. Being able to significantly reduce delivery times is a big advantage.
Why do companies in the automotive industry use Elimold?
As industry trends such as autonomous driving, in-vehicle connectivity and hybrid/electric vehicles continue to drive innovation, agility-focused automotive companies are turning to Elimold to accelerate new product development and get to market faster. Our diverse 3D printing technologies can support customers in the automotive industry:
- Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback for every quote
- Quality checks to verify part geometry and FAI reporting
- Ability to 3D print functional prototypes using a variety of material options suitable for testing
- Diverse material and process options help reduce component weight
Why use 3D printing for automotive design?
A physical representation of a design is the first step of the manufacturing process in automotive industry. A scale model with smooth surface and high detail involving complex geometries helps in communicating and showcasing the overall concept clearly. That’s where prototyping using 3D printing comes handy. The 3D printing technology is right for creating and testing low-cost high detail prototypes be they for exterior or interior of the vehicle. Whether it is prototyping the dashboard in full color, or creating a light-weight component for the engine, 3D print service has effective solutions for all vehicle prototyping needs. With automotive 3D printing, we can make functional prototypes in a few hours or days depending on the size.
Easing automotive industry challenges
Automotive is a creative and challenging field where design and mechanical skills play a vital role. Manufacturers must strive to produce lightweight, durable parts at low cost. In addition, ensuring the strength and efficiency of the product presents new challenges. At Elimold, we use advanced 3D printers to create functional prototypes and finished parts with complex geometries. We help manufacturing companies with additive manufacturing that are unable to produce one-off parts at scale. Any 3D printed automotive part in a vehicle can be customized through additive manufacturing.
3D printing technology can produce automotive parts with unique designs that were not possible before. As a result, we can meet the design and production challenges posed by the automotive industry.
Elimold is committed to helping the automotive industry grow by providing hassle-free and innovative 3D printing solutions. We have a team of highly skilled professionals who can handle any automotive industry challenge. With our advanced 3D printing applications in the automotive industry, we can help you create prototypes, production parts and molds. In addition to this, we also provide our clients with customized solutions that suit their specific needs. Experience the best in customization with the support of our 45+ industrial-grade 3D printing materials.
3D printing materials commonly used in the automotive industry
Thermoset polymers (ABS-like, PC-like). ABS-like general-purpose materials are a reliable choice for high-precision prototyping, enabling the “feel and feel” of lightweight concept parts while having minimal thermal design requirements. When thermal requirements exist, advanced PC-like high-temperature translucent materials can be utilized, which are ideal for applications such as automotive under-the-hood or electrical components.
Nylon (PA 12, PA 12 glass filled and PA 11). These materials have high tensile strength and premium surface finish. As workhorse nylons, they are commonly used in the construction of housings, housings, and fixtures, and work well for snap-fits and hinges.
Polypropylene. This true engineering grade polypropylene can be manufactured using our SLS process. It is a lightweight material compared to other plastics and offers durability in addition to being tough and flexible. This material is ideal for functional moving parts with features such as snap-fits. Excellent chemical resistance and electrical insulation make it ideal for automotive and electrical enclosures.
RPU 70 rigid polyurethane. This tough, general-purpose engineering-grade material is manufactured using a digital light synthesis (DLS) process and is classified as an ABS-like material. After printing, DLS parts are baked in a forced-circulation oven, where the heat triggers a secondary chemical reaction that adapts and strengthens the material.
aluminum. (AlSi10Mg). The material is comparable to 3000 series alloys used in casting and die-casting processes. It has a good strength-to-weight ratio, high temperature and corrosion resistance, and good fatigue, creep and rupture strengths required for automotive applications.
What automotive parts can you 3D print?
When you need it, 3D printing allows you to respond faster when OEMs and suppliers make engineering changes. You can create prototypes and placeholder parts with more iterations and faster time to market.
In-house 3D printing also allows you to work more closely with your operators. Collaboratively design and optimize custom tools to improve assembly station ergonomics and increase their satisfaction and productivity. Some of the world’s largest automotive companies leverage 3D printing to improve cost-efficiency during the design iteration phase. End-use production components include everything from custom seats to car mounts to fuel injectors. Common automotive parts we can manufacture include:
- Sprockets
- Enclosures and housings
- Fan blades
- Gears, latches, and brackets
- Engine parts, manifolds, and heat exchangers
- Hose and wire clips
- Washer fluid and fuel caps
- Fixtures
- Assembly line components
- Plastic dash components
- Customized aftermarket parts
- Lenses and lighting features
- Support for on-board consumer electronics
- Dashboards
- Center consoles
- Headliners
- Glove boxes
- Door Panels, trim, pockets
- Speaker panels
- Vents
- Steering wheels
Current applications and future prospects of additive manufacturing in the automotive industry
When it comes to implementing new technologies, the automotive industry always takes a pioneering role. Assembly line work and the use of industrial robots pay off in factors such as precision and efficiency in the assembly of cars. Additive manufacturing for automotive parts contributes to increased flexibility, agility and resource efficiency of modern production lines.
Although automotive 3D printing systems have yet to produce a whole car, many automotive parts are already being manufactured additively today. This is primarily due to increased customer needs, stricter environmental regulations with regard to sustainability, and alternative powertrains and individualization, among others.
This requires a technology with which prototypes can be produced quickly and product development cycles can be shortened. Complex components must be produced economically in batch sizes. 3D printing for automotive applications is the solution.
Contact us to start your journey of 3D printing of auto parts
If you are an automobile manufacturer or related supplier, Elimold will provide you with professional 3D printing solutions. With advanced 3D printing technology and rich experience, we can provide you with customized automotive parts and interior manufacturing services. Please contact our team to tell us your needs and we will provide you with the best solution. Click the button below to send us an inquiry today, we look forward to adding new value to your automotive project!